Sit-at-Home: Anambra Traders Defy Soludo’s Directive to Open Shops

In defiance of Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s directive to open markets on sit-at-home Mondays, traders across Anambra state, particularly in Onitsha, have chosen to keep their shops closed, citing fears for their safety.

Governor Soludo, in a bid to boost economic activity and counter the disruptions caused by sit-at-home orders previously enforced by Biafra agitators, issued a stern warning last week. He threatened severe sanctions, including one-week closures, escalating to indefinite shutdowns for continued non-compliance.

Despite this, traders have remained hesitant to comply. In interviews with The Nation, many traders expressed that they felt the governor was asking them to put their lives at risk. One trader remarked, “Let him bring his children to the market,” emphasizing the fear of attacks from hoodlums enforcing the sit-at-home.

On Monday, October 14, although the gates to the Main Market in Onitsha were opened, most traders refused to enter. Even the police officers deployed to monitor the situation were reportedly in plain clothes, further reflecting the tension in the area. Many surrounding shops also remained shuttered, with the streets largely empty.

The state government had communicated the order through various channels, including the President General of the Anambra State Market Traders Association (ASMATA), market chairmen, and the Commissioner for Homeland Affairs. However, the message has not been enough to convince traders to open their shops.

A senior police official, who requested anonymity, told The Nation reporter that while security had been deployed to the markets, residents still feel unsafe. “It will take time for things to return to normal, but we are doing our best to protect lives and property,” the source said.

Despite the governor’s initiative, traders remain resolute in their refusal to open their shops, with some fearing the order could provoke more aggressive actions from those enforcing the sit-at-home. One trader noted, “What the governor did was put our lives at risk. He should have allowed us to manage the situation in our own way.”